WSYR Local News

New York Sued Over Fracking

ALBANY, N.Y. (AP) _ A bankrupt company that hoped to drill for gas in New York is suing the Cuomo administration over what it calls an unreasonable delay in deciding whether to allow hydraulic fracturing for natural gas.

A trustee for Norse Energy USA said he filed a lawsuit Tuesday in state Supreme Court in Albany naming Gov. Andrew Cuomo and his commissioners for health and environmental conservation.

Hydraulic fracturing, or ``fracking,'' has been banned since the state began an environmental review in 2008. Cuomo says he's waiting for an opinion from his health commissioner.

Norse, the subsidiary of a Norwegian company that invested heavily in upstate New York gas leases, wants to compel the state to finalize the fracking review.

A Cuomo spokesman said the administration does not comment on pending litigation.